If You Build It, They Will Come

   Here's my updated list for Iowa Connections on NBA teams.  There are 27 connections at the start of the 2023-24 season.  Connections are sparser than the NFL, so I will only list teams with connections.  Looks like we are cheering for a Milwaukee/ Phoenix Finals this year! (Shout out to Sacramento, Utah, Golden State, Dallas, Indiana and Atlanta)  Note: Coaches/Staff in  italics . Note: These players/coaches/staff are not with NBA teams this after they were last year:  Nate Bjorkgren  (Buena Vista),  Paul Jesperson  (UNI),  Mike Dunlap  (Iowa),  Dave Joerger  (Cedar Rapids River Raiders), Al McCoy (Drake), Aaron Nelson (ISU) Note: This will change as players get added throughout the season and as I discover assistant gms that went to Iowa colleges.  Some names to watch include: Tyger Campbell, Terry Stotts, and  Joe Wieskamp 

Little late getting this out, but we are still in the first round.   In determining who to root for in the 2022-23 NBA Playoffs, we need to review who the Iowa Connections are for the playoff teams.  Congrats to Milwaukee!  You are this blog's choice to win it all! 1 - Denver - Ryan Bowen, Coach (Fort Madison) 1 - Minnesota - Luka Garza (Iowa) 2 - Sacramento - Keegan Murray (Iowa), Harrison Barnes (Ames) 1 - Golden State - Klint Carlson, Coach (Waverly) 0 - Los Angeles Lakers 1 - Memphis - Brad Jones, Coach (Iowa Wolves) 0 - Los Angeles Clippers 2 - Phoenix - Al McCoy, Announcer (Williams), Kevin Young, Coach (Iowa Energy) 3 - Milwaukee - Mike Dunlap, Coach (Iowa), A.J. Green (Northern Iowa), Lindell Wigginton (Iowa State) 0 - Miami 0 - Boston 2 - Atlanta - Paul Jesperson, Coach (Northern Iowa), Kyle Korver, Front Office (Pella) 2 - Philadelphia - Dave Joerger, Coach (Cedar Rapids), Georges Niang (Iowa State) 0 - Brooklyn 1 - Cleveland - Josh Broghamer, Coach (Iowa C...

 I hadn't taken full account of the number of cards in my collection until today.  As I write this, I have 12,341 unique Iowa Connection cards in my collection.  That is insane!  Of course, this number is more insane.  The number of Iowa Connection cards I need are.... Well, take a moment and think what your guess would be.  I'll put it at the end of the post.  I'll take a guess here myself.  Now, my best collection is Kurt Warner, where I have about 8% of his cards.  Towards the middle is Harvey Kuenn at 3.5%.  Some 90's players I have a significant chunk of including Kevin Tapani at 35.9%.  Many pre 1970's players and minor leaguers I have 0% of.  Hockey, Wrestling and other collections are wastelands right now.  So, I'll be a bit conservative and say that I own 2% of all the Iowa Connection cards.   That would make my guess 605,000 wants.  We'll see if I'm closer or if your guess is closer at the end...

 The Hoops release is a good point to check on the status of Iowa Connections in the NBA and whom the minds at Panini have dubbed important enough to have a card.  Hoops is good one to use because of the size of the set (300 cards) which covers more than most other sets.   According to my records there are 25 Iowa Connections in the NBA this season.  Some are coaches which won't be covered by Hoops (unless accidently in the background.)  Let's see how many made it: #51 Tyrese Haliburton #155 Doug McDermott #156 Joe Wieskamp #158 Harrison Barnes #175 Talen Horton-Tucker #190 Monte Morris #234 Keegan Murray #284 Keegan Murray We  have 8 cards and 7 connections, exactly the same connection count as last year.  This year Keegan Murray replaced Luka Garza. Excluding coaches, who is missing?  Well as mentioned above, Luka Garza for the Timberwolves is missing.  He started the season on the Iowa Wolves, so that is probably why.  Also missi...

 I wonder if you know which Hawkeye has the most basketball cards?  While you ponder this, there are two Hall of Famers in the top 7, one Naismith Player of the Year, a 3x NBA champ and a hot NBA rookie.  Of course #1 is none of those.   Let's start with the Hall of Famers.  Connie Hawkins (5) and Don Nelson (7) top the HOF list, with Lute Olson lower, and C. Vivian Stringer WAY down the list with only four cards (sad).   #6 may surprise you.  Its Adam Haluska with 253 cards.  253 more cards than NBA games he played in.  Still, super glad to see it because he was a fun player. #4 is Keegan Murray, who by the end of the year may be #1, so long as nothing dramatic happens.  #3 is B.J. Armstrong, winner of three NBA titles carrying those bums Jordan, Pippen, Grant and Phil Jackson along.  At #2 is Luka Garza.  All his cards are from last season, but has had some playing time with Minnesota this year so he may continue to...